It's definitely a "slap on a coat of paint" job - thanks for all of your views.

Posted by: Woofer Plantation at September 2, 2009 9:22 PM in response to Painting Quotes—Top Floor

Thanks Dave. Yes, I am able to afford fluctuations, which is why at present I am focused on the rate. This is especially because previously (a few years ago) HELOC's were prime *minus* a quarter! I can understand why rates would have increased, especially on a HELOC, but want to make sure I am not being ripped off. Thanks for your views.

Posted by: Woofer Plantation at April 28, 2009 8:03 AM in response to HELOC rates

We installed Kolbe wood windows in our Clinton Hill townhouse. The contractor told us that the main difference between wood Marvins and Kolbes is simply that Kolbe comes primed and painted - whereas Marvin doesn't. Can't say what a Marvin window would have looked like, but our windows didn't need any painting or treating and came ready to install from the factory, look terrific and have held up well for the last few years! I don't recall if there was a material price difference between the two. Our parlor windows are the floor to ceiling type with the curved "eyebrow" on top, which I recall the contractor saying that Kolbe and Marvin both specialize in and the windows are the type approved by landmarks.

Posted by: Woofer Plantation at March 7, 2009 5:34 PM in response to Kolbe vs. Marvin

Thank you both.

Posted by: Woofer Plantation at February 4, 2009 8:09 AM in response to LG Dishwashers

After this I give up ... Denton.

Posted by: Woofer Plantation at January 11, 2009 2:12 PM in response to Open Thread

Hi ISNH - it very well could be a man, as Benson is only guessing like the rest of us. I'm pretty certain it is a male poster. In that vein, am also not convinced Miss Muffett is a woman, but that's just me (some of "her" posts are just too over the top, almost fake, in their prudishness and pretentiousness - like a guy just having a laugh at people thinking he's a [very annoying] mother with kids)!

Posted by: Woofer Plantation at January 11, 2009 1:52 PM in response to Open Thread

LOL, just reading my earlier post - end of the last century would be a few years ago! I think Miss (or Mister more accurately) Chiff's fireplace was from the 1890's! He's probably watching football right now, so don't expect to hear back from him for a while - go Giants!

Posted by: Woofer Plantation at January 11, 2009 1:00 PM in response to Open Thread

I recall Miss Chiff posting earlier in the week about someone's slate mantel in the Forum, noting that s/he is the owner of an Eastlake style home dating from the end of the last century. I believe bxgirl rents, and *all* of us(even those like myself who rarely post) know that La Madame Tuffet can only covet a mantel, thus leaving BRG (do they have mantels in Bay Ridge), the What and Lisa (each very doubtful) from InsertSnappyNameHere's list. I think it is none of the above. Rather, it's a going on middle aged male. So I immediately thought Biff - especially given Miss Chiff's clever handle, but he's denied it. Whomever you are, Miss Chiff, I am your number one fan, and wish you all the best in keeping La Madame Tuffet pontifications in check. Thank you very much for the community service.

Posted by: Woofer Plantation at January 11, 2009 12:46 PM in response to Open Thread

Joining the game late - but, so obvious, isn't Benson Miss Chiff?

Posted by: Woofer Plantation at January 9, 2009 11:13 PM in response to Open Thread

Thanks very much Vinca!

Posted by: Woofer Plantation at December 8, 2008 11:00 PM in response to Retro-fitting for Gas Fireplace

Hey Dave - back in the burbs in the 70's/80's, we used to call that "Ding and Ditch It".

I guess this could be "Dingle Berry and Ditch It"!

Posted by: Woofer Plantation at August 22, 2008 1:14 PM in response to Return of the Stoop Pooper

This is indeed very sad.

It is also very disgusting. Could you imagine stepping on it, like a banana peel, on your stoop?

Perhaps the poster should leave some soap-on-a-rope dangling from those lovely cast iron newel posts.

Posted by: Woofer Plantation at August 22, 2008 12:37 PM in response to Return of the Stoop Pooper

Brownstoner never mentioned what his beef is with granite. I think he had reclaimed marble from a movie theater in his kitchen, btw sam, not the lovely thought of the Brownstoner clan chopping cilantro on a urinal.

Posted by: Woofer Plantation at August 6, 2008 9:34 PM in response to House of the Day: 19 Garden Place

Dewitt,

Anyone who thinks Mr. Brownstoner runs the Flea as a charitable organizatoin is, well, not the sharpest blade in the drawer. Congrats on outing the Wizard in your own mind.

Posted by: Woofer Plantation at July 26, 2008 10:44 AM in response to Closing Bell: Brooklyn Flea + Urban Arts Festival

I recall a couple of years ago, after he completed the house reno blog which was the mainstay of this site for a while, Mr. Brownstoner went on an antiques road trip in upstate NY and blogged about it for a week. Check the archives. I recall as well that the lovely Mrs. Limestone had posting tree on this subject as well.

Posted by: Woofer Plantation at July 26, 2008 8:27 AM in response to Antique Road Tour

I think that many people would agree that the Flea is the best thing to have come to FG/Clinton Hill in a long time. The church members' near-sighted and outright prejudicial stance reflects the prehistoric bent of the Roman Catholic church on most relevant issues today. A reactionary close-mindedness generally eschewing openness to dialogue, mutual education and respect (see, e.g., treatment of gays). If the Roman Catholic church can't even begin to open its eyes to social ills that *really* matter, how else are they to react to vendors hawking mid-century furniture and silkscreens on a Sunday!!? It's the comedy of the absurd. Layer on gentrification and race issues, and you've got a nice little NYT piece! Good luck JB and Eric :)

Posted by: Woofer Plantation at July 26, 2008 8:17 AM in response to Closing Bell: Brooklyn Flea + Urban Arts Festival

As I'm sure Shahn's aware, high tech lynching is a reference to Clarence Thomas's claims re: the coke bottle and Anita Hill. Controversial when initially spoken, of course. I think it's an interesting turn of phrase for this attribution of bad architectural taste to Brent Porter - whom you can be sure had nothing to do with this eyesore - not meant to have any racial under or overtones.

Posted by: Woofer Plantation at July 23, 2008 9:53 PM in response to 109 Gates Avenue Revealed: Man, That's Ugly

Take a gander at the second to last photo of Cranberry street.

Looks like a shot out of CSI Las Vegas. Not of the Strip or of oblivious lads and ladies lounging poolside but, rather, of a morgue.

I guess that's what 7 mill gets you these days in the Heights: eternal rest in that "Special Light" touted by the broker!!

Posted by: Woofer Plantation at July 23, 2008 9:43 PM in response to Houses of the Day: Head-to-Head in The Heights

I have a Bosch dishwasher that has been great. My dishes always come out clean and it has a range of settings. I've never had an LG.

Posted by: Dean Street at February 4, 2009 10:55 AM in response to LG Dishwashers

I have a boring whirlpool dishwasher for 12 years. It even came with 2 different color panels. the flatware holder is in the door to give more room for dishes.
It still works well.

They come in 18 inch and 24 inch size.

Posted by: Ysabelle at February 4, 2009 2:30 PM in response to LG Dishwashers

Bosch users... most of the time my glasses on the top shelf come out with dried crumbs and crusty stuff in or on them. It drives me NUTS. I have rinse aid, use only the power wash because anything else ends up even worse... is there something obvious i might be doing wrong? I'm not sticking in plates covered in crap, either. It's not a cheap model - all buttons on the inside, nothing on the front. I'm too lazy and irritated with it to look up the model. I think this machine and I need to go to counseling....

Posted by: mshook at February 4, 2009 7:32 PM in response to LG Dishwashers

I own two bosch dishwashers, and just recently bought an asko. I really prefer the asko, so I recommend you check it out.

Posted by: homey at February 4, 2009 10:28 PM in response to LG Dishwashers

We have a Bosch from P.C. Richards for $500 or $600 from a year ago, works fine. We bought the warranty, just in case. Sometimes there is that dried stuff on the dishes mentioned above, but not enough to really bother me.

Posted by: meerkatz at February 4, 2009 11:56 PM in response to LG Dishwashers

I got a Miele G841 in 1999 and it really is a workhorse. Also super quiet. No repairs. They have that neat upper flatwear tray and good wash options controlling temp. but they are pricey. Buy the best you can afford.

Posted by: pattunia at February 5, 2009 3:26 AM in response to LG Dishwashers

i love my electrolux dishwasher.

i thought the 'blue light' to tell you the cycle had ended was a dumb idea..... until i heard (or rather didn't hear) how quiet it actually is.

highly reccomended.

Posted by: deanc at February 5, 2009 1:11 PM in response to LG Dishwashers

We have a Bosch dishwasher that came with the house when we bought it. Its real quiet and has always worked great. We have just moved our kitchen up to the parlor floor as part of a gut renovation (new Miele) and no longer need the Bosch. Its one of their basic models, white w/ss inside I'm thinking SHU43xx. If you'd like to look at it let me know and I won't bother to post it to craigslist yet. I'm just looking for any reasonable offer. It can't be more than 4 or 5 years old. We have the paperwork from the previous owner so I'll look at it when I get home.

Posted by: HDL at February 5, 2009 3:04 PM in response to LG Dishwashers

if you have the original windows, please please please do not replace them. have them repaired...

Posted by: townhouser at March 8, 2009 1:33 PM in response to Kolbe vs. Marvin

Townhouser. Do you have the name of anyone the does wooden window repairs?

Posted by: kidbklyn at March 8, 2009 9:57 PM in response to Kolbe vs. Marvin